September 2009 Archives

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I'm a Chicago homie -- long removed but never really gone -- so don't expect objectivity, but a recent visit proved my native metropolis is #1 in America and maybe everywhere for its active, creative, meaningful, almost-economically-viable, neighborhood-rooted, exploratory and world class jazz. I say this even as my dearly adopted New York City kickstarts as freshly energized a fall season as any I recall.

Buzz about who played live jazz where marked with the hashtage #jazzlives flew throughout cyberspace this weekend  -- catch it all here. The impromptu campaign produced anecdotal evidence that a young and vigorous audience for America's modern vernacular creative music does indeed exist, spreading enthusiastic word via the social network Twitter of sets at Chicago, Tanglewood, Los Angeles (x2), Detroit and Stevens Point (Wisconsin) jazz festivals and gigs in New York, Tokyo, etc,. far and wide.

Audiences for live jazz from East Coast to West, North border to South, all points between and some beyond are using Twitter and the hashtag #jazzlives to buzz about bands and venues they like. A campaign begun to encourage "anecdotal evidence" that demonstrates a vibrant listenership for America's indigenous music has resulted in hundreds of brief messages -- some with links to photos of crowds, video and podcasts. No final count yet; this weekend could be big with jazz fests at Tanglewood, Detroit, Chicago, LA, Philly, Aspen, Vail, etc. And this experiment isn't statistically relevant, just a volunteer shout-out. But people all over have big ears and broad tastes, as their little tweets demonstrate. Count yourself in by tweeting (Twitter accounts are free), using #jazzlives -- as individuals have in the following samples --